News Release

Celebrate Older Americans Month During May

May 1, 2005

May has been designated by Gov. Mike Easley as Older Americans Month in North Carolina. This year’s theme, “Celebrate Long-Term Living,” was chosen by the U.S. Administration on Aging to honor the improvements in aging and health care that has almost doubled the average lifespan of Americans during the last century. The theme also helps focus on the importance of health promotion and prevention activities and healthy lifestyle choices such as adopting healthy eating habits, increasing physical activity, and reducing tobacco use.

Gov. Easley, in his 2005 Older Americans Act proclamation, said that, “North Carolina is pleased to join other states in this tradition of honoring older Americans, celebrating the over 1.4 million older adults in our state, and marking the 40th anniversary of the federal Older Americans Act.”

The Institute on Aging is also pleased to recognize Older Americans Month. The Institute's mission is to enhance the well-being of older people in North Carolina by fostering state-wide collaboration in research education, and service. In support of Older Americans Month, we share the following information and resources:

Quick Facts About Aging in North Carolina

• NC ranked 12th among states in the growth rate of the 65+ population from 1990-2000.
• Life expectancy in North Carolina is approximately 75.6 years. In general, women live longer than men, and white North Carolinians live longer than persons of minority races (2003).
• North Carolina had 20 geriatricians per 100,000 population over 65+ (as compared to 26 for the U.S.) (2003).
• Since 1990, NC's long-term care spending for older adults has increased from approximately $486 million to $1.38 billion in SFY 2000 (185%).
• In North Carolina, only 24.5 percent of adults age 65 and over meet recommended levels of exercise (i.e., 30 minutes of brisk walking five times a week). North Carolina ranks among the bottom ten states in this category (2003).
• Read more quick facts...

Further Resources for Older Americans Month

• North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services
  Information from NCDAAS about how the state is recognizing Older Adults Month, including links to reports and data about aging
• U.S. Administration on Aging
  Information from the AoA on Older Adults Month including free logos, fact sheets, sample public service announcements, etc.
• NC Healthy Aging Network Resources
  This collection of healthy aging resources is targeted at program administrators interested in learning how to plan and implement programs to support healthy aging